United Airlines and Archer Aviation have announced a planned launch in 2025 of its first air taxi route in Chicago, between O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Vertiport Chicago. Vertiport Chicago, North America’s largest vertical aircraft takeoff and landing facility, is near the Chicago Loop in the Illinois Medical District. This site was selected as the takeoff and landing site for this airport to city center route because of its convenience, access and service. From there, passengers can travel to and from ORD via Archer’s Midnight aircraft in approximately 10 minutes.
A similar trip by car can take upwards of an hour or more during rush-hour traffic
Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States, a center for business, innovation and investment, and home to United’s headquarters.
Archer Aviation designs and develops electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility networks and, together with United, plans to provide residents and visitors in the Chicago Metropolitan Area with a safe, sustainable, low-noise, and cost-competitive alternative to ground transportation.
The early launch routes will focus on the airport-to-city center transportation service, referred to as “trunk” routes. With the establishment of trunk routes, the next step will be to build out “branch” routes to connect to surrounding communities.
ComEd, the Midwest’s largest utility company, will work with United and Archer to establish the power infrastructure necessary to support eVTOL aircraft operations in and around the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
